Vitamin D for Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
B Good Evidence At least one randomized trial supports this, with mostly consistent results.A meta-analysis found vitamin D supplementation was associated with significantly improved SCORAD scores in atopic dermatitis patients, particularly those with documented vitamin D deficiency.
The Bottom Line
A meta-analysis found vitamin D supplementation was associated with significantly improved SCORAD scores in atopic dermatitis patients, particularly those with documented vitamin D deficiency.
Key Study Findings
Population: Saudi patients with vitiligo (573)
Population: General population (skin health review)
Population: None
Population: Patients with atopic dermatitis
Population: None
Key Statistics
12
Studies
1800
Participants
Positive
Grade
Referenced Papers
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Commonly Used Dosages
- general:
- 600-800 IU/day (RDA)
- skinhealth:
- 1,000-4,000 IU/day (targeting 30-50 ng/mL serum 25(OH)D)
Upper limit: 4,000 IU/day (IOM); many experts consider up to 10,000 IU/day safe
Dosages Studied in Research
| Dosage | Duration | Effect | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Neutral | 573 |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| 14 nutritional compounds (vitamins, minerals, etc.) | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| 92.1% | 36 weeks | Positive | 38 |
Best taken: With meals containing fat for better absorption
Safety & Side Effects
Reported Side Effects
- ⚠ Generally well-tolerated at recommended doses
- ⚠ Hypercalcemia at very high doses (nausea, vomiting, weakness)
- ⚠ Kidney stones (rare, at excessive doses)
Known Interactions
- ● Thiazide diuretics (may increase calcium levels)
- ● Corticosteroids (may reduce vitamin D absorption)
- ● Orlistat and cholestyramine (reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins)
- ● Calcipotriene (additive vitamin D effect)
Tolerable upper intake: 4,000 IU/day (IOM); many experts consider up to 10,000 IU/day safe
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vitamin D help with Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)?
How much Vitamin D should I take for Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)?
Are there side effects of Vitamin D?
How strong is the evidence for Vitamin D and Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)?
Related Evidence
Other ingredients for Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Vitamin D for other conditions
References
- [1] Mohammed Ibrahim AlJasser. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024. Vitiligo: Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics in 573 Saudi Patients. doi:10.2147/CCID.S499794 PubMed
- [2] Yuting Cao et al.. Skin Res Technol. 2024. Association of vitamin D with risk of warts: A retrospective and Mendelian randomization study. doi:10.1111/srt.13911 PubMed
- [3] Jacek Januszewski et al.. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023. Nutritional Supplements for Skin Health-A Review of What Should Be Chosen and Why. doi:10.3390/medicina60010068 PubMed
- [4] Yilan Zeng et al.. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2023. The Role of VD/VDR Signaling Pathway in Autoimmune Skin Diseases. doi:10.2174/1389557523666221124123206 PubMed
- [5] Davide Chesini Ms et al.. J Diet Suppl. 2022. Vitamin B12 and Atopic Dermatitis: Any Therapeutic Relevance For Oral Supplementation? doi:10.1080/19390211.2020.1860180 PubMed
- [6] Naoko Kanda et al.. J Nippon Med Sch. 2021. Nutrition and Atopic Dermatitis. doi:10.1272/jnms.JNMS.2021_88-317 PubMed
- [7] Basak Yalici-Armagan et al.. Int J Clin Pract. 2021. Paediatric lichen sclerosus et atrophicus: A retrospective analysis of 38 paediatric patients. doi:10.1111/ijcp.14661 PubMed
- [8] Kathleen M Coerdt et al.. Altern Ther Health Med. 2021. Vitamins A, B, C, and D: A Short Review for the Dermatologist. PubMed
- [9] R Z Conic et al.. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020. Comorbidities in pediatric alopecia areata. doi:10.1111/jdv.16727 PubMed
- [10] Amare Abera Tareke et al.. World Allergy Organ J. 2020. Prenatal vitamin D supplementation and child respiratory health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. doi:10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100486 PubMed
- [11] F J Navarro-Triviño et al.. Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed). 2019. Vitamin D and the Skin: A Review for Dermatologists. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2018.08.006 PubMed
- [12] Elio Kechichian et al.. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018. Vitamin D and the Skin: An Update for Dermatologists. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0323-8 PubMed
- [13] Ozlem Atan Sahin et al.. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2016. The association of residential mold exposure and adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children living in damp environments. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2016.07.018 PubMed
- [14] Meagen McCusker et al.. Clin Dermatol. 2016. Nutrition and skin: Kids are not just little people. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2016.07.004 PubMed
- [15] Fiona J Bath-Hextall et al.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012. Dietary supplements for established atopic eczema. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005205.pub3 PubMed
- [16] Carlos Lifschitz. Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2012. New actions for old nutrients. PubMed
- [17] W SCHUCHARD. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1955. [The treatment of alopecia areata and of dyshidrotic eczema with milk protein bound vitamin D 2]. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1116437 PubMed
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